How nice it would have been to see Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, Archduke Karl

Indeed.. as descendants and heirs to the thrones with which we fought 1914-18, their presence would have been far more meaningful than the President of a 'successor' polity, without connection to the war itself.

I was initially surprised in a way that no one high profile represented the UK but I do feel its important to place the emphasis on memorials at home, it would have been seen as a snub to those at home if the Queen, Charles or William attended the French events over the London ones, likewise I suspect the plans for Andrew, Anne and Edward to attend events in each of the home nations would have been in place and taken importance over events in France.
Also bear in mind, in the UK Remembrance Day takes in to account ALL those who have died in conflict, not just those in WW1.

Interesting comments from Sir Tim Laurence about the "gentleman's agreement" and I tend to agree with its sentiments personally.Here is an extract

How on earth should one do it? How should the centenary of the end of a war be marked? Not just any war — the Great War. A war which involved almost every country and resulted in millions of deaths. As we approach the 100th eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the answer is that we will mark its end in many different ways. This year 11 November falls on a Sunday, so the main remembrance events must all happen on one day. A gentleman’s agreement in Europe had been that each nation would mark it in their own way on their own soil. However President Macron has invited his fellow leaders to join him in Paris. Awkward. Does one snub one’s own country or the French? No doubt elegant solutions will be found.

I think the ad hoc "Peace" meeting was what drove the elevation of France's international guest list. Since they spent more time moving names around the dinner table to avoid enclaves shows that now was not the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacqui24

I’m not arguing either way whether a member of BRF or Theresa May should’ve gone to France. But for those critical of what happened in France and bringing up Tim Laurence’s comments, isn’t Britain inviting the German President violating the same Gentlemen’s agreement?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

Even though HM is also the Queen of Canada, perhaps Justin Trudeau attended the French service due to the French-speaking connections with Canada? Just a thought.
I'm pleased that the German President and his wife were invited in an attempt to restore any previous tension between Germany and the UK.

This outward sign of an actual reality is an overt demonstration of Reconciliation.

What does both surprise and even shock me is the number of people who have referred to the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI as a celebration? It is not! It is, just like every 11th of November, a commemoration and a remembrance.

In Australia and New Zealand, we mark that tremendous loss on ANZAC Day.

__________________

__________________MARG"Words ought to be a little wild, for they are assaults of thoughts on the unthinking." - JM Keynes

What does both surprise and even shock me is the number of people who have referred to the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI as a celebration? It is not! It is, just like every 11th of November, a commemoration and a remembrance.

See this is something that interested me as yesterday at the evening event an historian remarked that we mark this day with remembrance, but we often dismiss the fact that this was a victory. It was a war that was won.

I feel if this wasn’t a part of Remembrance, we would have included Germany in ceremonies long ago. Personally there’s a reason Germany doesn’t remember their loss so outwardly as we do, because they lost.

Indeed.. as descendants and heirs to the thrones with which we fought 1914-18, their presence would have been far more meaningful than the President of a 'successor' polity, without connection to the war itself.

I think if the Prince of Prussia had been invited as official representative to take part in these commemorations, there would have been a storm of outrage breaking out in the german media and press. This would find never an acceptance within the broader german public. I also believe the same, if not even worse, would happen, if a descendant of the House of Habsburg would have been invited as the Austrians seem to have an ever tense relationship with their former imperial Dynasty...!
No, the presence of a representative of the current ruling class was inevitable, no matter how sorry for Royalists and Monarchists, I´m afraid.

I think if the Prince of Prussia had been invited as official representative to take part in these commemorations, there would have been a storm of outrage breaking out in the german media and press. This would find never an acceptance within the broader german public. I also believe the same, if not even worse, would happen, if a descendant of the House of Habsburg would have been invited as the Austrians seem to have an ever tense relationship with their former imperial Dynasty...!
No, the presence of a representative of the current ruling class was inevitable, no matter how sorry for Royalists and Monarchists, I´m afraid.

Whilst, as a royalist, it'd have been lovely for Prince Georg Friedrich and Princess Sophie to attend the Remembrance Service (the House of Hohenzollern are related distantly to the BRF too, aren't the Prince and Princess of Prussia in line to the very extended British throne?) though I agree about the reception in Germany - especially with the President in attendance. IIRC none of the German RF's titles are recognised in Germany (however they are recognised in reigning monarchies).

__________________"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone". Audrey Hepburn

*"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy". Anne Frank

What does both surprise and even shock me is the number of people who have referred to the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI as a celebration? It is not! It is, just like every 11th of November, a commemoration and a remembrance.

In Australia and New Zealand, we mark that tremendous loss on ANZAC Day.

The annual commemorations of Remembrance Day, Memorial Day, ANZAC Day, etc. are purely solemn, remembrance of the lost; so are the milestone anniversaries of battles. But this Sunday was additionally a milestone celebration of a joyful anniversary. The restoration of peace and the end of conflict is a very happy thing. On a day like that it is quite appropriate to make space for celebratory services, such as the one in Westminster Abbey for which the queen shed the black attire that had been so appropriate for the mournful wreath-laying and instead wore a vibrant purple. The flowers placed around the memorial plaque on the floor very specifically weren’t poppies to remember the loss of the military dead but cheerful mixed arrangements as if to say to them “you did not sacrifice in vain, the battle did end and peace was achieved at last.” That’s a happy thing, if still serious.

Court Circular 10th November:
The Queen, Patron, was present this evening at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were present.

Court Circular 11th November:
The Queen was present this morning during the Ceremony at the Cenotaph on the occasion of Remembrance Day.

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mrs Elke Büdenbender were also present.

A wreath was laid on behalf of The Queen by The Prince of Wales.

A wreath was laid by The President of the Federal Republic of Germany.

A wreath was laid on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh by Captain Katherine Coulthard.

A wreath was laid by The Prince of Wales.

Wreaths were also laid by The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke of Sussex, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, The Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent.

The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Sussex, The Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence were present during the Ceremony.

The Princess Royal afterwards took the salute at the March Past of Ex-Servicemen and Civilian Organisations on Horse Guards Parade, London SW1.

The Queen this evening attended a Service to mark the Centenary of the Signing of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey, London SW1, and was received at the Great West Gate by the Dean (the Very Reverend Dr John Hall) and, at the Great West Door, by the Chapter and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mrs Elke Büdenbender were present.

Her Majesty and His Excellency laid fresh flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

At the conclusion of the Service, The Queen bade farewell to The President of the Federal Republic of Germany and Mrs Elke Büdenbender at the Great West Door.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent were present at the Service.

His Royal Highness, Colonel, Welsh Guards, afterwards attended a Service of Remembrance in the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, and subsequently laid a wreath at the Guards Memorial, Horse Guards Parade.

The Duke of York this afternoon attended a Service commemorating the Centenary of the End of the First World War in St Anne’s Cathedral, Donegall Street, Belfast, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast (Mrs Fionnuala-Jay O’Boyle).

The Earl and Countess of Wessex this afternoon attended the Welsh National Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the End of the First World War at Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, and were received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan (Mrs Morfudd Meredith).

The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, this afternoon attended the Scotland Commemorative Service for the Centenary of the First Armistice in Glasgow Cathedral, followed by a Reception at St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, Glasgow, and was received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Glasgow (Councillor Eva Bolander, the Rt Hon the Lord Provost).

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester this morning attended a Service to mark the Centenary of the Signing of the Armistice at the National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, and were received by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire (Mr Ian Dudson), and afterwards His Royal Highness took the Salute at the Armistice Day Parade.